Saint Lucia's postal service still relevant says communications minister
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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Thursday 7 October 2010 – Saint Lucia joins the international community tomorrow, Saturday October 9, in observing World Post Day 2010.
Minister with responsibility for the island’s postal service, Honourable Guy Joseph, says despite the numerous global challenges Saint Lucia`s Postal Service is fulfilling its universal service obligation of ensuring that both visitors and citizens remain connected.
The island’s postal service, he remarked, continues to meet its social obligations by providing basic services which are affordable and accessible by all.
“While we continue to see a decline in the domestic and social mail, we nevertheless continue to witness the growth in the business mail, with well over 2 million domestic business mail processed in 2009. The steady growth in small parcels processed is also congruous with the rise in the internet trade. In 2009, approximately 30,000 incoming small packets were processed. Despite challenging economic times, the increase in transportation and other operational costs, my government has not increased postage rates. Saint Lucia joins the international community tomorrow, Saturday October 9, in observing World Post Day 2010.”
The minister with responsibility for the island’s postal service, Honourable Guy Joseph, says despite the numerous global challenges Saint Lucia`s Postal Service is fulfilling its Universal Service Obligation of ensuring that both visitors and citizens remain connected.
In addition he notes the island’s postal service continues to meet its social obligations by providing basic services which are affordable and accessible by all.
According to Minister Joseph, airlift and international transportation continue to impact negatively on the timeliness and efficiency of the island’s delivery network and service.
However, he gave the assurance that the island's postal services will continue to develop partnerships and build alliances with other service providers, aimed at moving mail in and out of Saint Lucia more efficiently.
“During this financial year, Saint Lucia’s postal service has embarked on projects aimed at providing private letter boxes in communities where surveys reveal the need and the strategic relocation of some secondary post offices aimed at serving the residents more effectively. Saint Lucia Postal Services eagerly anticipates partnering with ECTEL under the Universal Service Fund in an effort to provide internet access at some of our rural district secondary post offices, to serve the under-privileged and physically challenged.” “I take this opportunity to solicit the continued support of the general public and the business sector; we appreciate your business at the post. We thank you for the critical observations as each one is taken into consideration as we plan ahead. It would be remiss of me if I did not publicly applaud the drivers behind the vital service, the postal workers—you make us proud. I would also like to commend your hard work and unfailing integrity.”
The international theme for World Post Day 2010 is “A Post that is Innovative and Relevant”.
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